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UKIAH, Calif. — MCHC Health Centers continues to expand its team of dental care providers to meet local healthcare needs. In August, MCHC welcomed dentist Gurneet Sandhu, who is fluent in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi. He sees children and adults at Hillside Health Center in Ukiah.
MCHC Dental Director Dr. Neha Sharma said, “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Sandhu to MCHC. His expertise, compassionate approach, and commitment to patient-centered dentistry make him a wonderful addition to our team and a great fit for our entire community.”
Before joining MCHC, Sandhu attended dental school at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, where he earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Before dental school, he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Maryland, College Park, then graduated from Georgetown University with a master’s in biophysics and physiology.
Sandhu chose to begin his dental career at MCHC in part because of its status as a federally qualified health center, where patients receive care regardless of ability to pay or insurance status.
“The mission of MCHC is very close to my heart,” he said. “It aligns really well with the morals and ethics of my life.”
Sandhu first realized the importance of dental care in his childhood, growing up as the child of immigrants in Baltimore, Maryland.
“My parents come from a really small village in India,” he said. “There was limited access to healthcare, and they didn’t see a dentist until they were in their late 40s.”
Sandhu’s family also had limited access to healthcare in Baltimore. “I know how it feels to grow up in an area where it feels like you don’t have options,” he said. That experience helped shape his decision to pursue dentistry and seek out a career in communities where healthcare is difficult to access.
When resources are scarce, people tend to put off dental care until they have an urgent need, Sandhu said. “Dental care is sometimes viewed as an extra thing you can do—if you have money.”
But dental care affects far more than a person’s teeth. Oral hygiene affects every part of life, from the ability to eat comfortably to confidence and overall health. “Dental care is just as important as every other type of medical care,” Sandhu said.
“People often don’t realize how important dental care is until they’re in pain,” Sandhu said. “But you shouldn’t have to wait until you’re in pain to receive treatment.”
He enjoys helping patients understand how oral health supports overall health. Preventive dental care through regular checkups and X-rays can help patients maintain good oral hygiene, prevent cavities before they become uncomfortable or painful, and protect gum health. Regular exams can identify potential problems with the teeth and gums before they become extensive or debilitating, which can mean less costly and invasive treatments. Dental visits can even help identify signs of other health conditions, such as diabetes.
“Good dental care can save lives, and it can help people feel more confident,” Sandhu said.
Sandhu also wants patients to know that a dental visit does not have to be an intimidating experience. Dental care has come a long way over the decades, and there are now many less invasive, more comfortable methods than in the past. And if you do come in with an urgent issue, modern dentistry has made it much easier to address. “There are options to make dental care even for bigger procedures more comfortable,” he said.
After living in Maryland for most of his life, he is eager to get to know the West Coast.
“The people have been great so far,” he said of Ukiah. “I’m enjoying exploring all the different places and flavors, and the weather.”
MCHC Health Centers includes Hillside Health Center and Dora Street Health Center in Ukiah, Little Lake Health Center in Willits, and Lakeview Health Center in Lakeport. It is a community-based and patient-directed organization that provides comprehensive primary healthcare services as well as supportive services such as education and translation that promote access to healthcare.